GAA RELEASE DETAILS OF 2009 ACCOUNTS

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Christy Cooney and Director of Finance Tom Ryan expressed their satisfaction with the impressive figures, especially in light of the downturn in the global economy.

Gate receipts showed a minor decrease from €26.3 million to €25.5 million, but the figure is skewed by the postponement of the International Rules Series last October.

Ryan said the Association was keen to promote a value for money theme with regard to attracting patrons to games.  He pointed to the special promotional offer available for the AIB GAA Club finals on St Patrick's Day as an example of the value for money on offer to supporters. Under a special ticket offer, adults will be admitted to Croke Park for €15 for the annual Club finals, while tickets for children will cost just €5

‘We are putting a big effort into March 17th. We want to see of it actually bears fruit for us. If that does, then we would like to see it retained as a theme throughout the year,’ said Ryan.

‘We did it quite regularly towards the tail-end of last year and it did bear fruit.’

‘When you talk about value for money, its for people going to matches, but when we turn around and spend that money we have to ensure that we get the best possible use out of out funds as well.’

Mr Cooney, meanwhile, outlined the massive contribution made by the GAA to the local economy in Dublin.

Events at Croke Park are estimated to have generated in excess of €500 million for the economy of the city in 2009 alone.

Páirc an Chrócaigh Teo revealed that 2.1 million people had attended events at the stadium in the past year — a record number.

Mr Cooney also outlined the GAA's intention to spend €100 million on infrastructure projects in the coming years, including the €33 million raised from bringing soccer and rugby games to Croke Park.

More details inclunding a copy of the GAA's 2009 accounts is available at:

http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/